Voice opinion on proposed blue cod limit, angler says
A Dunedin angler unhappy with proposed cuts to the blue cod catch limit for recreational fishers is asking everyone to have their say on the matter before it is too late.
Keen angler Steve Bennett said it was only a few years ago that the limit was 30, and dropping the blue cod limit from 15 to 10 would make the reward of fishing not worth the cost of heading out.
"I can't see the rationale for dropping it from 15 to 10 — I think that the blue cod fishery is in pretty good state at the moment and has been for a while."
If the limit was reduced, it would be hard for people going out in a boat fishing to justify the fuel costs.
He said Mother Nature had her own protection methods in place.
"Our coastline is reasonably weather protected and there's a lot of days where, even if you could go out, you can't because of the sea conditions."
Mr Bennett encouraged all fishers to have their say — whether that be for or against the proposed changes.
"Too many consultation processes go through and people don't actually know about it until after it's happened.
"If people are interested, then they need to put their names on a piece of paper and have their say — this has the potential to impact a lot on recreational fishers."
Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries management Emma Taylor said changes to catch limits were in store for the next fisheries sustainability review this October.
The review included proposed changes for three blue cod stocks, snapper on the West Coast and blue mackerel on the west coast of the North Island.
"Proposed cuts to commercial catch for two blue cod stocks are in response to latest abundance estimates, while the third had a commercial catch limit cut last year.
"Recreational daily catch limits are proposed to be reduced for all three fisheries, in line with the settings in place under the National Blue Cod Strategy," she said.
The review said blue cod stock in the Foveaux Strait was significantly overfished.
Public consultation began on June 24 and closes on July 23.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
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